Hui ʻO Hawaiʻi wins total 4 gold medals, 1 bronze at 2026 Special Olympics USA Games
Johnathan Anderson and Bradley McDermott-Sa of Kauaʻi were winners of one of those gold medals, winning the unified doubles bowling competition, during the last 2 days of the games that were hosted in Minneapolis, Minn.
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The aloha spirit and athletic prowess of Hawaiʻi Special Olympians shined brighter on a national stage as Hui ʻO Hawaiʻi — the Special Olympics Hawaiʻi team — wrapped up participation at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis, Minn.
Hui ʻO Hawaiʻi added three more medals to its overall medal count by the end of competition June 26. The team won a total of four gold medals and one bronze medal during the games.
There were 16 Special Olympics Hawaiʻi athletes, 2 Unified Partners and their coaches — all hailing from O‘ahu, Kauaʻi, Maui and Hawaiʻi Island — who represented the islands at this year’s games, competing in basketball, bowling and track and field events as well as participating in youth leadership programs.
Photo by Special Olympics Hawai‘i- Photo by Special Olympics Hawai‘i
- Photo by Special Olympics Hawai‘i
Hui ʻO Hawaiʻi results June 25-26
TRACK AND FIELD
- 4×100 relay: Participation ribbon
Maja Gonya, Hawaiʻi Island
- 100m run: Bronze
- Shot put: 8th place
Danielle Castrence, Maui
- 200m run: 4th place
- Running long jump: 4th place
Kassandra Okinaka, Hawaiʻi Island
- 200m run: 8th place
- Running long jump: 4th place
- Photo by Special Olympics Hawai‘i
- Photo by Special Olympics Hawai‘i
- Photo by Special Olympics Hawai‘i
BASKETBALL
- Traditional 5-on-5: Gold
BOWLING
- Unified team: 4th place
Johnathan Anderson and Bradley McDermott-Sa, Kauaʻi
- Unified doubles: Gold
Herbert Taitingfong and Brandon Taitingfong, O‘ahu
- Unified doubles: 4th place
The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games ran through June 26, celebrating the Special Olympics movement while promoting acceptance and inclusion through sports and highlighting abilities of athletes with intellectual disabilities.
This year’s Special Olympics USA Games was one of the largest, most inclusive sporting events in the country. It brought together 3,000 athletes, 1,500 coaches, 10,000 volunteers and an expected 75,000 fans from all 50 states.
The games aim to spark a ripple effect that transforms lives, unites communities and changes the world.
Visit the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games website for additional information about the annual games and more.
Those who want to support Special Olympics Hawai‘i can donate online to any of the athletes, coaches, sports or Hui ʻO Hawaiʻi.
